OCR Text |
Show RECORD MADE IN 4 COAL PRODUCTION Another all-time worlds record production of bituminous coal was made in 1944, between 620,000,000 and 625,000,000 tons 30 million to 35 million tons more than was mined in 1943, the Bituminous Coal Institute has announced. This is the third consecutive year the industry has surpassed its previous previ-ous record high, made in World War I. Such unprecedented tonnage, attained with about 200,000 fewer workers than in 1918, is attributable attribu-table largely to the extensive mechanization me-chanization of the mines. The industry in-dustry has spent upwards of $400,-000,000 $400,-000,000 for coal cutting and the handling of equipment in the past twenty years. The man output per day in bituminous mines has been raised from an average of 3 tons during the last war to more than 5Yi tons in 1944. This compares com-pares with slightly more than 1 ton per man per day in England, and a little over two tons in Canada. Can-ada. In 1944, more than 90 per cent of all bituminous coal was cut by machines; approximately 70 per cent of the holes for blasting the coal were power drilled; and about 45 per cent of it was mechanically mechanical-ly loaded. Every month since April, 1944, has seen a substantial increase in the stockpiles held by industrial users and retail dealers" until, at the years end, it is estimated that they will equal those of a year ago, approximately 70,000,000 ton. The bituminous coal industry will enter 1945 fully prepared and equipped to meet all anticipated demands upon it. The foregoing shows how one industry has met the challenge of war. |